Binghamton Restaurant Building Demolished Following Fire

A building that had housed a Binghamton restaurant and a grocery store has been torn down more than a month after fire raced through a neighboring apartment house.

The March 21 blaze raced through the large structure next to the business.

Arif Shakeel Ansari operated the Taj Tandoor restaurant for more than 17 years. On Monday afternoon, he said did not intend to reopen the business.

After this story was published, Mohammed Ansari sent an email message to WNBF News Monday evening saying: "The restaurant will be reopening."

Reached by telephone Monday evening, Arif Ansari referred a reporter to his son. Mohammed Ansari declined to provide further information about future plans for the business.

The A-1 Grocery store, which was located next to the restaurant, is expected to reopen soon in another Main Street building.

This story was updated to reflect Mohammed Ansari's statement that the restaurant "will be reopening."

Gorick Construction Company workers at 59 Main Street on April 26, 2021. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

Debris from a fire-damaged apartment house on Main Street in Binghamton on March 22, 2021. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)